by Ali Vali
“I’d love a few things, but they have nothing to do with decorating.”
Tully had yet to touch her anywhere below her breasts, but as Libby straddled Tully’s legs she could feel her clitoris pulsing in a way that begged to be touched.
“You are so beautiful,” Tully said, her teasing put aside as she stopped and simply gazed at Libby’s face. “I could tell you the exact moment I first saw you.”
“There’s a chance I could sound really sappy, but I can tell you that story too.” Libby ran her fingers along Tully’s jaw, then just under the skin around the bottom of her eyes. “I don’t know how many cups of coffee I served in a morning, but it was enough to make the people I handed those cups to become almost invisible after a while. But when you talked to me over that counter, I fell into your eyes.”
“I felt the same way. You had your hair in a ponytail and looked a little frazzled with the pace, but your smile just set off your face.”
Libby ran her fingers back down until she linked them behind Tully’s neck. “All those days and all those cups of coffee, you were the one thing I always waited for. It’s childish, I know, but you always made me feel that someone thought about me, which made me feel special.”
“You are special, love, and what makes me the luckiest woman alive is that you’re mine.” Libby’s nipples had softened a bit, but at Tully’s declaration they became rock hard again.
“Prove it to me.”
As the words left Libby’s mouth, Tully squeezed her hand between them and in one short thrust had two fingers buried deep inside her. When the palm of her hand brushed against Libby’s clitoris, it instantly sparked the beginning of her orgasm.
With her knees on the bed and her hands behind Tully’s neck, Libby thrust her hips forward and groaned. She tried to pay attention to Tully’s words, but she could concentrate only on Tully’s fingers sliding in and out and how good Tully’s skin felt pressed against her. The last thing she wanted was for the sensations to end, but she couldn’t help speeding up her hips and claiming the touch that was hers. She pulled Tully’s hair as she reached the pinnacle, coming down on Tully’s hand and enjoying the way her clitoris pulsed against Tully as the spasms died down.
“This feels so good that I may demand that the honeymoon not end,” Libby said, feeling as limp as overcooked pasta.
“That sounds like a hardship.” Tully stopped laughing only when Libby pinched her nipple and tugged.
“Don’t make me get rough with you, Badeaux.”
“You might want to remember where I have my hand before you go making threats, beautiful.” For emphasis Tully pushed her fingers in far enough to make Libby gasp.
“If that’s your form of punishment, I might take up threatening you as a hobby.” Libby smiled innocently at her, then put her index finger on Tully’s forehead and pushed her to lie flat on the bed. “Swing your legs onto the bed for me, baby.”
Tully did as she was told. “Comfortable up there?”
“If you bent your knees up for me and put your feet flat on the bed,” Libby leaned back as soon as Tully did it, “I’d be more comfortable.”
The new position made Tully’s fingers go in as far as they could. “I love feeling you inside me,” Libby said, pushing her hips back enough so just the tips stayed inside. “I love it because I know it turns you on as much as it does me.”
With that Libby leaned back enough so her fingers landed between Tully’s legs. “So…so wet,” she said. She was having trouble staying focused as Tully brought her thumb forward, so when Tully moved her fingers back in, Libby felt a delicious stimulation.
Before the sensual haze set in, Libby started stroking Tully slowly but firmly. Her fingers moved easily through Tully’s wetness, and as soft as the path was, it was difficult to miss her hard clitoris.
The thought of bringing Tully the same pleasure she’d just received made the walls of Libby’s sex clutch at Tully’s fingers. Despite her inexperience she tried to hang on so she could watch Tully let go for her.
She whispered, “I love you,” and the words brought Tully to the same peak she was rapidly climbing again. She claimed it readily with one last grunt as Libby joined her. After that they lay together just sharing soft touches and kisses until they fell asleep, making love again when they woke up.
“You know the only problem I didn’t plan for,” Tully said as she tried to get her breathing back to normal after her fourth orgasm of the afternoon.
“What?” Libby asked from where she’d landed on Tully’s chest.
“The shower here doesn’t work.”
“If the kids and your mother being here wasn’t enough to make me die of embarrassment, running into them before we get back to the boat might just do it.”
“I’ll run cover for you, honey.” Tully rested her hand in the middle of Libby’s back and laughed. Though it was getting warmer in the house, she had no desire to move, but the later it became, the more realistic she had to be.
The city authorities had instituted a curfew, but some unsavory characters were still running around, so Tully wanted to get them out of harm’s way before the sun went down. If they didn’t leave soon, they’d be stuck for the night.
“Do you think it’ll be a while before we’re able to come back?” Libby asked.
“I’d love to say it won’t be, but this is the Big Easy, and the only thing moving fast around here is the current of the river.” She sat up after Libby rolled off and searched for her underwear. “Why, ready to move in?”
“It’s just been such a long time since I had a place I really considered home that the timing of this storm really sucks.”
“We’ll make a home on the boat for now, and I promise we’ll be in here as soon as we can.”
Libby put her pants on and went to help Tully with her shirt, laughing when they fastened the three remaining buttons. “I hate to whine.”
“Libby, you were stuck in foster care at sixteen and left to fend for yourself at eighteen. You’re entitled to a little whining.”
They walked around locking the place back up, and Tully felt the temperature rise the second the windows were closed. The silence outside was still disconcerting, making it seem as if someone had bled the soul out of the city.
“Let’s get going so we can stop by the Hebert place after we get cleaned up,” Tully said.
“Are you glad to get this one behind you?”
“I’m thrilled not only to finish it, but also with the outcome. It’s done, and while it couldn’t bring Evangeline back, it’s over.”
Despite the warmth of the room Tully watched Libby run her hands up her still-naked arms and shiver. “I hope you’re right.”
Chapter Thirty-two
“When was this?” Jessica asked the deputy who’d signed her in that morning for her visit with Kara.
“Like I said the last three times, the judge released her this afternoon. I don’t know where she went after that.”
“Why didn’t anyone call me?”
“Because Dr. Nicolas isn’t a minor and you aren’t her legal guardian, from what we could tell.” Sheriff Carl stepped up and waved his deputy off. “She walked out of here under her own steam, so what’s the problem?”
“She didn’t have a ride and had no way of getting in touch with me.” Jessica hit her fist against her leg. “You knew she didn’t have anyone else to turn to.”
“She couldn’t have gone far. Just take a ride and find her, but tell her not to forget her court date before she decides to try anything cute.”
The place where Jessica was staying wasn’t far, but she hadn’t seen Kara on the way to the jail. She tried again before doubling back and heading in the opposite direction, then stopped at every open store, café, and hurricane shelter she came across. No one had seen Kara. Everyone was either helping those who had evacuated out of New Orleans or talking about the storm that had changed the landscape in more ways than just flooding.
By seven that
night Jessica was frantic and still hadn’t found the first clue that would lead her to Kara. That desperation led her to the last place she wanted to be. Alma and Gaston’s driveway was loaded with cars, but none of them belonged to Tully. She was debating the wisdom of her choice of turning to Tully again when she heard voices coming from behind her.
She recognized Tully’s laugh first, sounding so carefree that Jessica squeezed the steering wheel until her fingers hurt. She ignored the pain and squeezed harder when she saw her walking up the drive holding hands with Libby. After sharing her life with Tully for such a long time Jessica felt strange at the sight of her being so demonstrative with someone else.
Tully’s and Libby’s hair was damp, and they were chuckling as they walked up the drive. All that ended when Jessica opened her car door and stepped out.
“What’s wrong?” Tully asked, sounding concerned, but she didn’t let go of Libby.
“I need to talk to you and I need your help.” Jessica blew out a long breath, trying to control her emotions.
“Let me go in and tell everyone we’re back,” Libby said. She brought her other hand up and sandwiched Tully’s between hers. “It’s okay, sweetheart.”
“If this has to do with Dr. Nicolas—” Tully started.
“Trust me, Tully, if I could deal with this alone I would.” Jessica started crying, and before Tully could move away she stepped forward and just fell into Tully’s chest. “I just don’t…” She stopped to release some shuddering sobs.
“Come on.” Tully turned her around and led her to the porch. Libby walked away from them, going through the open front door toward the back of the house. “Sit down and let me go get you something to drink, and then you can tell me what’s wrong.”
Libby met her in the hallway just off the foyer of the house with a large glass of ice water.
“I’m sorry about this, baby,” Tully said.
“For what? Caring about the mother of your children?” Libby pressed the glass into her hand. “I have no doubts about where I stand in your life, my love, and I also know the path you had to take to get you to this point.”
“Thanks, and could you keep Bailey and Ralph in the house until I see what this is about?”
“Just try to talk her into staying this time, for their sake.”
Tully nodded before going out and handing the glass to Jessica. Her crying had slowed and she just appeared fatigued. “Try to drink some water and tell me what’s wrong,” Tully said softly.
“They let Kara out today.” Jessica didn’t take her eyes off the ice in her glass as she spoke.
“I’d think that should be making you happy.”
“I can’t find her and I think something’s happened to her, but Carl won’t do anything about it.”
The wood under Tully’s rocker creaked when she sat down and set it in motion. Had this been the afternoon she’d found Jessica in bed with this woman, she would have welcomed the news. “What makes you say that? She could just have caught a ride out of town.”
“I know how you feel about this whole situation, but she wouldn’t have done that. Kara wouldn’t have left without me.”
“Okay, then why automatically assume something’s wrong?”
“Tully, no offense to your hometown, but there’s one way in, and the only way out is to turn around and head in the opposite direction. If you’re looking for someone, it’s hard to miss them, even if they’re walking on the opposite side of the bayou.” She lifted her head and looked Tully in the eye. “I’ve been driving up and down the road all afternoon. She’s not here, and since she wouldn’t have left without me, then something’s wrong.”
“What would you like me to do about that?”
Jessica put the glass down and put her hands over Tully’s. “Talk to Carl and have him look. It’s getting dark, and if she’s hurt I want to find her before it’s too late. He knows you and would do it for you if you ask.”
“I’ll talk to him, but I want you to stay put here with the kids after I do. You’re tired. There’s no sense in something happening to you too.” She stood up and waved Jessica into the house. “Actually, I’m going to have to drive over to the sheriff’s office since the phone isn’t working yet.”
Bailey and Ralph came out and faced Jessica. “Grandma set up the room upstairs for you to get some sleep after you take a shower,” Bailey said.
After hearing Bailey’s flat tone, Tully put her hand at the back of Bailey’s neck and kissed her on the forehead. Bailey’s lack of emotion signaled that she had figured out Jessica’s sudden return had nothing to do with her and Ralph.
“Tully, I think I should come with you,” Jessica said, ignoring Bailey’s offer and grabbing Tully’s bicep.
“Mom said she’d do it, so let her,” Ralph told Jessica as he jerked her hand off Tully and pointed her into the house.
Tully could tell that Jessica’s continued indifference had really upset Bailey and Ralph. “Try to get some sleep, and I’ll wake you if there’s any news,” she said as they stood at the foot of the steps inside.
“Thank you, Tully. I know this is the last thing you want to be doing, but I really appreciate it.”
Tully nodded and held her hand out to Libby. “Want to come with me?” she asked when they were outside.
“Sure.” They crossed the street to the Land Rover. “What do you think could’ve happened to her?”
“What was it Chase called her? A crankhead? Well, someone with a habit who’s been in jail for a couple of days would probably make for the nearest dealer to get a fix. We may be in the middle of nowhere, according to Jessica, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t drugs around here. Someone in jail could have told her who to call, and she made for an address after she got out.”
“It’s really depressing to think someone can be so dependent on something that she can’t live without it.” Libby picked up Tully’s hand and kissed her knuckles.
“You mean you’re not addicted to me and can live without me?”
“No, I’m a certified Tully junkie, but you’re not exactly bad for my health, lover.”
They arrived at the sheriff’s office as Carl was walking out the front door, and he stopped at the driver’s side window and smiled. “I might have to start hanging out with you, Tully, if this is the kind of company you keep.”
“You told me I couldn’t flirt with your wife, so the same goes for you.” Tully introduced the two before telling him why they were there. “I’m sure she’s sleeping off her high somewhere, but in case I’m wrong, could you send out a directive to the deputies on patrol to keep an eye out for her? If they find anything, send them over to Mom’s and let us know. I left Jessica over there taking a nap.”
“Sure thing. Can’t be too careful since the woman couldn’t shut up about having everyone’s badge for what she thought was unfair treatment. All I need is for her to fall into the bayou and float on out to the Gulf.”
“Thanks, Carl. If you need me I’m going over to Elijah and Simone’s place to talk over a few things.” They both waved as Carl headed back inside.
“If she got out this morning and something happened to her, she could be in trouble now that it’s dark. Walking out here at night is a dangerous proposition even for the locals, and if she’s not sober it could be suicide,” Tully said as she turned back to the main road.
When they drove up, Elijah was sitting outside mending a net, which he dropped into his lap when Tully got out of the car. She knew Jo had been able to get in touch with them that afternoon, by some miracle, so he already was aware of the settlement. Still, he didn’t look like a man who had just won his case.
“Came by to see if you or Simone had any questions,” Tully said as they reached the porch stairs.
“She’s inside watching television.” He tilted his head that way as his line of sight came to rest on Libby.
“Why don’t I join her?” Libby took the obvious hint.
“Something on your mind, E
lijah?” Tully sat close to him and picked up a casting net that was next to be fixed. In their talks she had learned that Elijah mended equipment as a sideline to his fishing. She wasn’t as practiced as he was, but she had the skill to do a good job, and she guessed he would open up if she wasn’t staring him down.
“Are you still my attorney?”
“Unless you want other counsel, I am.”
“So nothing we talk about, you can tell anybody, right?”
Tully worked the needle through the edge of the hole and started to make new webbing. “That’s correct.”
“I was brought up to think your life was like the seasons.” Elijah gripped the wooden block that held the line he used to repair nets and kept his eyes on Tully’s hands as she tied and wove. “You sprout, you grow, you bear fruit, and then you enjoy watching the seeds you sow grow and continue the process.”
“That’s a good way to think about life.”
“I’m not going to have that last part now. My baby, she’s gone, and Simone and me won’t have any more.”
“I was brought up to believe that God works in mysterious ways, my friend, so don’t count yourself out on a family just yet. None of us know what the future holds in store.” Tully double-knotted the last stitch and cut the line before standing up and folding the net to hand back to him. “Why do you think you need an attorney for that story?”
“Because we might not know what the future is, but sometimes our pasts come back to haunt us when we least expect it. If that happens to me, I want to know you’ll help me out. I don’t want Simone left alone. She’s suffered enough.”
“Is there something you want to tell me? Like you said, the conversation would be just between the two of us.”
Tully stepped off the porch and waited for him at the bottom of the stairs, and they walked to Elijah’s boat, moored across the street like her father’s. It was the most private place to have this conversation since Tully didn’t have the use of her office.
“I don’t need to talk with you now, Tully, but the day might come when I do.”